Another music legend called home

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Legendary flat picking guitarist Doc Watson died this afternoon at the age of 89.

I saw him live a few years ago with his grandson Richard in a very intimate setting.

He was one of the best guitarists you will ever see but what was equally impressive was what he did after the show.

He was in his eighties and a long way from home, but after playing two 45 minute sets he sat in a chair until every single fan who wanted a picture, autograph or just wanted to chat with him got their chance. I bet he spent 45 minutes or an hour until the last fan was gone.

Truly an amazing man.

 

[halfmoa]

Re: Another music legend called home

That man single handedly made me fall in love with bluegrass and expand my guitar skills to a genre I never would've thought twice about if it weren't for him.

Rest in peace.

 

[Tyme2fish]

Re: Another music legend called home

He was the best. I won't even begin to mention the songs that he performed, but "Tennessee Stud" is one of my favorites.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hlxp8OJd6fg&feature=related

 

[mk4713]

Re: Another music legend called home

Doc was amazing a will be missed.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Another music legend called home

He was the best. I won't even begin to mention the songs that he performed, but "Tennessee Stud" is one of my favorites.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hlxp8OJd6fg&feature=related

Tennessee Stud is a Jimmy Driftwood classic. When I was a kid my dad would drag us to Mountain View all the time since we only live and hour and a half away. He's in mourning today I'm sure.

 

[bassman284]

Re: Another music legend called home

I saw Doc Watson live for the first and only time on February 23, 1974 at Hancher Auditorium in Iowa City, IA. (I had to look that up.) Blue Grass was really big in the early 70s and my wife and I were fans, but we had never heard of Doc before. Turned out that a good friend of ours was a big Doc Watson fan and even though he was a grad student with no money, he sprung for tickets for my wife and I to go to the show with him and his wife. The other act that night was Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys.

Our favorite local group, Grassfire, opened the show and then Bill Monroe came onstage and away we went. The audience pretty much went berserk and Monroe played 7 or 8 encores before he said something to the effect of "We have to quit now so Doc can get on."

During the break, my friend was distraught. He said, "They're not going to like Doc. Not after that." I said give it a chance but he couldn't be cheered up.

Then Doc came out with his son Merle leading him, sat down and started playing. It became clear that a majority of the ~10,000 people in Hancher had come to see Doc. I know he played well over an hour of encores before he finally said, "This has to be the last one." Totally unforgettable.

A side note: the banjo player with Grassfire, Bob Black, got an audition with Bill Monroe about 6 months after this show and played with the Blue Grass Boys for the next couple of years. He wrote a book about his playing days and I found an excerpt covering his time with Bill Monroe which I've linked. I found it interesting and maybe some of you will as well.

Playing Bluegrass with Bill Monroe

 

[Tyme2fish]

Re: Another music legend called home

Bassman, thanks for that link. I always enjoy reading first hand accounts from bluegrass musicians.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Another music legend called home

Great story bassman. Bill Monroe and Doc? Man oh man. Thanks for sharing.

 

[bassman284]

Re: Another music legend called home

Great story bassman. Bill Monroe and Doc? Man oh man. Thanks for sharing.

Riches and wisdom.